Dorgan House Trail
Ruins of the old Dorgan House with adobe architecture and a petrified wood fireplace.
Plan Around Dorgan House Trail
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Dorgan House Trail Details
This newly constructed trail was created with the desert in mind, as visitors were creating their own "trails" in order to reach these amazing ruins, and, as a result, often ended up walking through geologically sensitive areas. There is a 0.5 mile trail off of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive that is relatively flat and easy to navigate with only a small elevation gain that is completely worth it for this treasure that is "off the beaten path". All that remains of the Dorgan House is an exterior wall and a petrified wood fireplace standing tall and strong in the center of the home. There used to be a covered porch that looked out onto the floodplain but now just the entrance and the fireplace are left. You can visit the house by taking the Dorgan House Trail off of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in between Castolon and the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. It's location along the Rio Grande makes it a wonderful place to stop, take in some history and snap a few awesome photos of the crumbling adobe architecture and the strong petrified wood.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
0.5 miles
Estimated time
1 hour
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Dorgan House Trail
Compare nearby parks around Dorgan House Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Dorgan House Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Dorgan House Trail while the map context is still fresh.
1.2 mi away
Santa Elena River Access
Parking and river access at the Santa Elena Canyon off of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
1.7 mi away
Santa Elena Canyon
Arguably the most popular "must see" of Big Bend.
3.4 mi away
Terlingua Abajo
Terlingua Abajo is a wet area that provides a habitat for native and migrating bird species.
3.6 mi away
Cottonwood Campground
$14/night, year-round, 24-hour campground with pit toilets, grills and water. No frills but a whole lot of fun!
4.2 mi away
Castolon Store
Historic convenience store with basic groceries, camping supplies and souvenirs. Open year-round.
